Marown was the venue agreed by the captains of Castletown B & Port St Mary A to host the final of the 2020 Rayner Plate.

Castletown B started the evening off a handicap of +32 as they were relegated from the top tier last season, were due to play second division bowls this season. The town men received a boost with Mark Moorley returning to the fold after a couple of years out of the game, having played for Marown A for a number of years, with Moorley having good knowledge of the Marown green, whilst the addition of Glenn Boland from Noble’s after a solid first season in division one was also a good addition. Port St Mary A were off a handicap of +10, having lost a couple of players from their first team last year, they were looking to go one better than 2019 when they lost in the final to Marown C.

In the first half of the match Castletown took control of the match with an almost unassailable lead, with Moorley storming  to a massive 21-2 win over Will Cain, who was experiencing his first team final to stretch the lead to 41 chalks. Eating away at the lead for Port St Mary were Trevor Quayle who recovered from a slow start to win 21-15 against James Drinkwater, whilst Tim Williams had a comfortable 21-12 win over the experienced George Foy. Glenn Boland had a tight game with Dan McCabe with Boland winning 21-17 to ensure the town men had a 30 chalk lead at the half way stage.

In the second half of the match Port St Mary captain Wayne Roberts reduced the deficit to 19 chalks after his 21-10 victory over Ross Moore. The next two games to come off put the final nail in the coffin for the Port men with the game of the day on paper going all the way between Bob Clark & Paul Skelly with Clark just getting home 21-20, whilst Alan Phair excelled to see off Paul Russell 21-19. With the last game on the green Castletown had enough chalks on the board by this point, with captain Nathan Cooil losing out 16-21 to Rob Cooil. This resulted in a win for the Town men by 17 chalks (169-152), with the match games ending 4-4. If there were no handicaps in play then Castletown would have lost by just five chalks to show how well matched up these teams were.

The presentation was made by Association Chairman Neil Withers who presented the Castletown captain Nathan Cooil with the trophy. Neil congratulated Castletown on their win, also offered his commiserations to Port St Mary. Neil also thanked Marown for hosting the final, their club members for assisting and the greenkeeper for preparing the green.

Onchan Bowling Club hosted this year’s Canada Life International sponsored Manx Championship. The competition attracted 73 entries, with the qualifying day held last Sunday with players having to win a minimum of two games on qualifying day to reach the finals day on Sunday. There was a crowd of well over 150 who came to support their club mates, which added to the atmosphere and the green was in fantastic condition for finals day, which made for some quality bowling.

Last 16 Results

Paul Dunn 21-5 Reginald Temporaza
Stefan Kelly 16-21 Tom Kelly
Neil Withers 21-19 Paul Skelly
Glynn Hargraves 21-9 Frank Watson

Matthew Keggen 21-12 James Teare
Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly 21-18 Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly
Paul ‘Pooky’ Quirk 5-21 Brian Kelly
Colin Kelly 13-21 Kevin Quirk

In the quarter finals Tom Kelly (Peel) had his challenge ended by Paul Dunn (Marown) losing 13-21, whilst former home greener Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) disposed of Neil Withers (Marown) with a 21-10 win. Matthew Keggen (Marown) lost 11-21 to Dave ’Barney’ Kelly (Peel), whilst Brian Kelly (Marown) pushed Kevin Quirk (Onchan) before losing out 17-21.

The semi-finals had representation from each of the ‘big four’ clubs, with Dunn putting in a brilliant performance against Hargraves to win 21-9 to take his place in the final. The second semi-final was a lot closer with Quirk taking a 7-1 lead, only for Kelly to turn the game on it’s head to lead 15-10. Quirk responded to level things up at 17-17. This was a great game which either player could easily have gone on to reach the final, however Kelly just had enough to run out with a 21-17 victory.

The final started with the crowd knowing there would be a new name on the trophy for the first time since 2015. Both players had lost in the final previously, Dunn having lost to John Kennish at Port Erin in 2006 and Kelly at Castletown to Phil Kerruish in 1986 and Kevin Quirk at Ronairco in 2005. Dunn was quickest out of the blocks playing the marks that had served him well all day to take a 7-1 lead, with Kelly responding by getting into the corners taking a single and three doubles in between a single for Dunn to level things up at 8-8. Dunn went on another good run to lead 14-9 with his strike success rate making a huge difference in the game hitting four strikes from his first four attempts. During the middle of the game it is difficult to say if it is was the changing pace of the green or nervousness from the players who were attempting to win their first title that led to a few stray bowls. Kelly was lying one on a straight peg mark at 14-17 heading into the corner, having beaten Dunn’s first bowl after Dunn had gone in on the round peg to beat his lead. Dunn’s second bowl was crucial tipping the jack to count for two to lead 19-14. From there Dunn claimed a single to reach 20, then Kelly responded with a single and headed into the corners at 15-20 for a last throw of the dice. Kelly kept his jack on the green after previously sending off two jacks, playing cautiously into the corner leading with a yard bowl which he was unable to improve on. Dunn held his nerve to bowl in and claim the all important point needed for a 21-15 victory to deservedly be crowned Manx Champion. The win caps a fine couple of years for Dunn, who having picked up a number of titles over the past couple of seasons has gone on to deservedly win the big one, having been tipped by a number of bowlers to win his first title this year. The wait goes on for Barney, who despite having recently turned 60 proved he is more than capable of mixing it with the best.

The presentation was made by Association President John Ryder, who presented the prizes. Thanks were given to the competition committee for running the competition, Onchan for hosting the event, the greenkeeper for the excellent condition of the green, the ladies for the refreshments provided, and all the club members who assisted with the measuring & stewarding throughout. In his speech Dunn was clearly delighted and emotional upon claiming his first Manx Championship title with his parents, partner and club mates watching.

Port Erin Bowling Club hosted the F.M. Sowerbutts Memorial Trophy Mixed Doubles on Bank Holiday Monday. This was another competition that was well supported with some pairs needing to play six games to reach the final.

Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Philippa Taylor (Marown) & Alec Taylor (Peel) to Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey), whilst in the other semi-final Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey) & Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) were beaten by Jenny Moore & James Teare (South Ramsey).

With the nights drawing in the final started under floodlights with Jenny & James making the better start building up a 13-10 lead, only for Elaine & Glynn to respond to turn the game on it’s head to go ahead 19-13 with Elaine leading well in the corners. Jenny & James got back in and started to eat away at the lead and at 17-19 were lying four for game only for Hargraves to save three with a good second bowl, which didn’t quite count to bring the score to 18-19. On the next end Jenny & James were counting one only for this to be beaten. On the final end Jenny & James were counting two, only for the counting bowls to again be beaten to ensure Elaine & Glynn secured a 21-18 victory to take the title.

The presentation was made by Janet Latham who thanked everyone who had entered, the club members for their support & providing the refreshments. In his speech Glynn thanked Port Erin for running the competition, Janet Latham for once again sponsoring the competition in memory of her father, also remarked on the significant improvement in the condition of the green this season since the club have taken over the maintenance of the green. Glynn also thanked everyone who had stayed to watch the final.

Saturday saw a field of 33 teams of mixed pairs take to the green at Finch Hill on what was a cold but generally sunny day. After losing the main sponsor for this competition earlier in the year Pat Maher came forward to sponsor this enjoyable and well supported competition and it is only thanks to him that Finch Hill was able to host the competition.

One of the novel features introduced by Pat was the lottery to give two pairs their entry fee back and this seemed to be very well received.

With 33 entries we only had one preliminary round match which saw Sid Bolton and Paula Firth come through a tough match against Karl Parker and Helen Withers and showed that they would be serious contenders.

The first round proper saw numerous close matches with the home team of Frank Christian and Iris Kermode just losing out to Celia Joughin and Jay Waters while Les Brookes and Pauline Cowley took a single on the final end to beat Sylvia Kennaugh and Terry Bates 21-20. The first upset nearly came in the match involving Debbie and Evan Leece who led all the way up until the last three ends against Fiona Kennish and Steven Waters but thanks to six points from those three ends it was Kennish and Waters who took the match 21-17. This near shock obviously provided a wake up call for the pairing as you will see later. Expected front runners Glynn Hargraves and Elaine Moore were put under pressure right from the start by Derek and Lynda Cadamy who would lead 20-13 after 13 ends but it took another six ends to get them over the line for a 21-20 win. Preliminary round winners Sid Bolton and Paula Firth were pushed hard by Dave Naughton and Tina Hampson but did just enough to come through 21-18.

Last year’s finalists Philippa and Alec Taylor were tested by the home favourites John Harris and Sue Collier who led 16-13 after 12 ends but a four on the next end from the Taylor’s did the damage and they ran out winners 21-17. Our sponsor Pat Maher partnered by Ann Hon easily overcame Michelle and Pauline Cowley 21-12, while the other home team of Hazel and Peter Hughes were no match for Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly. A number of other strong pairings made it through this first round easily and will be mentioned later but I must mention the young players who took part and showed that the future is bright for our sport. I have already mentioned the strong showing of Evan Leece, and for the first time at Finch Hill we saw Megan Hargraves take to the green and then Ryan Hargraves partnered by Victoria Johnson easily came through their first round match.

First up in the second round were Fiona Kennish and Steven Waters although it took them five ends to get the final point for a 21-17 win over Wayne Roberts and Joyce Ogden. Les Brookes and Pauline Cowley overcame the strong pairing of Sue Gawne and Brian Kelly 21-17, as did Matthew Keggen and Lyn Bolton over Mark Kelly and Caroline Whitehead. Philippa and Alec Taylor put in a strong performance to beat the home team of Pat Maher and Ann Hon and Sid Bolton and Paula Firth continued their good run with a 21-11 win over Celia Joughin and Jay Waters. The young partnership of Ryan Hargraves and Victoria Johnson were unable to match the consistent scoring of the experienced pairing of Derek and Lynda Cadamy.  Chris Price and Dave McCabe had each won this competition with different partners in the past and they easily overcame Shannon McMullan and Lee Dawson. The toughest match of the round saw James Teare and Jenny Moore do just enough to beat Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly 21-18.

In the quarter finals Matthew Keggen and Lyn Bolton ended the challenge of Les Brookes and Pauline Cowley 21-13 and Steven Waters and Fiona Kennish started to show their true form as they beat Sid Bolton and Paula Firth 21-12. A slow start from Derek and Lynda Cadamy probably cost them their match against Philippa and Alec Taylor who ran out 21-16 winners. A very even match ensued between the pairings of James Teare and Jenny Moore and Chris Price and Dave McCabe. After 18 ends Price and McCabe led 19-17 only to see Teare and Moore score four points on that final end to take the win.

The semi-finals saw Jenny Moore and James Teare take on Matthew Keggen and Lyn Bolton and it was the former that led from the start and with consistent scoring throughout ran out 21-13 winners. Philippa and Alec Taylor started strongly and ran up a 16-10 lead after 10 ends but were only able to score another three points in the next 10 ends as Steven Waters and Fiona Kennish came from behind to win 21-19.

In the final Jenny Moore and James Teare raced into a 18-12 lead after 11 ends but yet another strong comeback saw Fiona Kennish and Steven Waters reel them in and win 21-19 after 18 ends.

Special thanks go to our generous sponsor Pat Maher , to our ladies for keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the afternoon and to all those stewards, measurers and markers who helped make this such a successful competition

Douglas Bowling Club hosted the Haldane Fisher Mixed Doubles on the bonus Friday Bank Holiday. The competition was well supported with some pairs needing to play six games to reach the final.

Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Alison Keggen (Noble’s) & Bob Clark (Castletown) to Joyce Ogden & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), whilst in the other semi-final Derek & Lynda Cadamy (Port Erin) were beaten by Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey).

The final started with Moore & Hargraves favourites, however despite lying three down on the first end, Roberts sat out their nearest counting bowl to score a single. On the next end Moore & Hargraves were counting for one, only for Roberts to again play out their counting bowl. From there Ogden played along the edge by the shelter leading brilliantly and was nothing short of relentless with Roberts also scoring well and ably backing up when required. Moore & Hargraves found themselves trailing 6-15 without scoring before finally counting for one. Odgen & Roberts extended the lead to 20-8, only for Moore & Hargraves to respond getting in to the corners to pick up some points over a number of ends to drag themselves back into the game, including a four and a three to recover back to 19-20. Playing into ‘Amen’ corner Ogden jumped at the chance to step in and did so putting up a bowl just over two foot away, which Roberts also added to by counting a second bowl. These bowls remained unbeaten resulting in a hard earned 21-19 win for Ogden & Roberts.

The presentation was made by Mark Kneen who thanked the players for supporting the event and the club members for organising the day and running the competition.

Ballaugh Bowling Club hosted the 31st Keenan Fours on Saturday afternoon. There were 31 pairs entered and although it was two weeks earlier this year the weather was still autumnal with a dry start then a belt of rain sent the spectators seeking shelter. 

Bowing out in the quarter finals two sets of home greeners John Looney & Brian Lace 10-21 in their first ever open quarter final, and Ray Parry & Bobby Clayton (Ballaugh) 15-21 the other two pairings were Paul Cowley & Steve Gregg (Douglas) 7-21 Bob Callow & Shaun Seal (Douglas) 14-21.

Losing semi-finalist were Derek Allen (Port Erin) & Alec Taylor (Peel) 14-21 to Glynn Hargraves & Alan Moore (South Ramsey), along with home greeners Richard Hainge & Paul Cubbon who also lost 14-21 to Paul Dunn & Neil Withers (Marown).

The final was well contested between Alan Moore & Glynn Hargraves and Paul Dunn & Neil Withers. Dunn & Withers took an early lead at 15-10 at the 7^th end, however Moore & Hargraves clawed to back to 17-17 by the 13^th end after scoring a three to level the match. Moore & Hargraves took the next four ends in singles to win 21-17.

The presentations were made by John Keenan who thanked the players for supporting the event and all members for organising the day especially the ladies in the kitchen, John Bolton  and team on the BBQ, and Richard Faragher for running the competition. Thanks also to W.E. Teare’s butchers for the sausages & burgers, Ramsey Bakery for the Baps and rolls and Bry Radcliffe for the onions. Glynn Hargraves in his speech thanked John Keenan for his continued sponsorship of the competition and Ballaugh Club for organising the day, for running the competition together with the measurers and markers.